Used to be a dream
Streets paved of gold
The fire of liberty
Land of opportunity
Used to be a dream
But scheme on scheme
Of madmen's design
Sticking to a party line

I watched that fire
As a child I watched that fire dying
Smouldering embers and ashes
From sea to shining sea

Used to be a dream
But changing constitutions
Loopholes for the wealthy
Wage slaves and poverty
Used to be a dream
When an eagle flying
Symbolized what could be good
In the world

I watched that eagle
As I child I watched that eagle starving
From amber waves of grain
To purple mountains majesty

Used to be a dream
But we were all asleep
And when we woke up
We found america

Divided and failing